Heated towel rack and hanger



Nov. 9, 1965 D. M. WEITZNER 3,217,137

HEATED TOWEL RACK AND HANGER Filed Sept. 5, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. DOROTHEA M. WEITZNER ATTOPNEVJ' 1965 D. M. WEITZNER HEATED TOWEL RACK AND HANGER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 5, 1963 IN VEN TOR.

DOROTHEA M. WEITZNER :47'7'0/P/V6VJ Nov. 9, 1965 D. WEITZNER 3,217,137

HEATED TOWEL RACK AND HANGER Filed Sept. 3, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet Z5 INVENTOR.

\3 DDROTH EA M. WEITZNER A3O W3 United States Patent 3,217,137 HEATED TOWEL RACK AND HANGER Dorothea M. Weitzner, 8 E. 62nd St., New York, N.Y. Filed Sept. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 306,103 Claims. (Cl. 219-201) This invention concerns a heated roller device, useful as a heated towel rack, garment presser and the like.

According to the invention there is provided a roller having an internal electrical heating element for maintaining the roller in a heated condition. A towel or sheet can be wrapped upon the roller for heating thereby and can be drawn off the roller in a heated condition. The roller may be provided with a base plate and support brackets for installation as a kitchen or bathroom fixture. The roller device may have hinged sections adapting the roller to be mounted on a conventional towel rack. In another form of the invention, the roller can be mounted on a hanger arranged to serve as a handle so that the roller device can be used as a pressing device for fabrics.

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a roller device having means for maintaining the roller in a heated condition.

Another object is to provide a towel rack having a roller provided with an internal electrical heating element.

A further object is to provide a heated roller device wherein the roller has hinged sections adapting the roller for mounting on a bar.

Another object is to provide an electrically heated roller on a hanger and useful as a towel rack, fabric presser, and the like.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth. 1 In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention, with a towel shown mounted thereon and an associated power outlet.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially schematic in form, of a heating element, parts being broken away.

- FIG. 4 is a perspective View, parts being broken away, of a roller.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale of the roller, and illustrating a way of engaging a towel on the roller.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another roller device with an associated towel bar shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line '7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an end elevational View of the roller of FIGS. 68 in an open condition arranged for mounting on a towel bar shown in vertical section.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the roller of FIGS. 6-8 shown mounted on a towel bar with a towel wrapped around the roller.

FIG. 10A is a circuit diagram of the roller device of FIGS. 6-10.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another roller device according to the invention.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale of part of the device of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view on a further enlarged scale taken on line 1313 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another roller device.

FIG. 15 is an end elevational view of the device of FIG. 14.

3,217,137 Patented Nov. 9, 1965 FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another roller device.

FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 1717 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of part of still another roller device according to the invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown the roller device 20 including a base or mounting plate 22. Two curved bracket arms 24, 25 extend outwardly of the plate near opposite ends thereof. Inside of arm 24 is a bore 26 into which rotatably extends shaft 28 at one end of a hollow cylindrical roller 30. A rheostat 32 is mounted on the bracket. This rheostat is connected at one terminal via one of wires 33 as indicated in FIG. 3 to one of two contact rings 34 in the bracket. Contact rings 36 are embedded in grooves in shaft 28 and rotatably contact rings 34 respectively. Wires 35 are connected to rings 34 and a heating element 38 made of three sinuous resistance wires H1, H2, H3 is connected at its ends to wires 35. The other one of contact rings 34 and the other terminal of the rheostat are connected to a plug 40 which may be inserted into a convenience power outlet 41 as shown in FIG. 1.

On one end of the roller 30 are two annular flanges 42, 43 defining a groove in which is engaged a cord 44. The cord has a pull knob 45. When the knob is pulled the roller 30 will rotate against tension of a coil spring 46 located inside of shaft 48 at the other end of the roller. Spring 46 is mounted on a shaft 50 which is axially slidable in bore 49. An arm 52 is offset from shaft 50 and connected thereto. Arm 52 is slidably engaged in a bore 53 in the bracket 25. The free end of arm 52 can be engaged in a hole 54 of annular flange 55 located at the end of roller 30 engaged in bracket 25.

A knob 56 at the outer end of shaft 50 permits the shaft and arm to be pushed inwardly as directed by arrow A or to be pulled outwardly to engage arm 52 with flange 55, or to be pulled outwardly to disengage the arm 52 from the flange. A stop knob 58 is provided on the inner end of shaft 50 to hold the shaft inside of shaft 48. One end of spring 46 is engaged in stationary bracket 25 and the other end is engaged on rotatable shaft 48. As the roller 30 is turned, the spring 46 can be tensioned.

Roller 30 includes a first arcuate cylindrically curved section 60 and two other curved sections 61, 62 hinged to opposite slotted edges of section 60 by pins 64, 65. The several wires H1, H2, H3 of heating element 38 are secured in grooves 66 inside of the several sections 60-62, respectively, of the roller 30. The sections 61, 62 can be pivoted apart as shown in FIG. 5 to engage one end of a towel T in slot S between facing walls 67, 68 of sections 61, 62. A coil spring 69 extending across the roller between sections 61, 62 normally holds them in the closed position of FIG. 4. The sections 61, 62 can easily be pried apart slightly for insertion of the end of towel T into slot S.

In operation of the device 20, arm 52 is initially inserted in flange 55 and spring 46 is tensioned. Cord 44 is only partially wound up on the roller between the flanges 42, 43. One end of towel T can be inserted in slot S as shown in FIG. 5 by prying apart roller sections 61, 62. When the sections are released the towel T is effectively engaged. If knob 56 is then pulled outwardly to disengage arm 52 from flange 55, the towel T will automatically roll up on the roller 30. Knob 45 can be grasped to stop the roller when the towel is fully wound on roller 30. The cord 44, which is now almost fully wound on the roller, can now be pulled out or eased up slightly to align hole 54 in flange 55 with arm 52, whereupon the knob 56 can be pushed inwardly to lock the roller in a stationary position. The plug 40 can be inserted into outlet 41 to heat the element 38 and in turn the roller 30 and towel T. The heated towel can be removed by grasping the free end of the towel and pulling outwardly after retracting arm 52 from flange 55. When the towel is almost disengaged from the roller, knob 4-5 should be grasped to prevent release of the roller as the towel is pulled free from slot S between sections 61, 62. The arm 52 can then be reinserted into flange 55 to await the mounting of a new towel on the roller 30.

It is preferred that the several sections 60-62 be made of strong, rigid, heat-resistant plastic material, although they could be made of ceramic or other electrical and thermal insulation material. Alternatively, they could be made of metal and internally coated with heat-resistant, non-conductive ceramic material. Rheostat 32 is used to adjust the heating temperature of the device.

In FIGS. 6-1O there is shown another roller device 20 in which roller 3ft has two semicylindrical hinged plastic sections 70 and 72 pivotally secured together by a pin or shaft 74. Springs 73 on the shaft bias the sections to a closed position as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The sections can be spread apart as shown in FIG. 9 for engaging the roller 30 on a towel bar or rod R of conventional type mounted by end brackets B to a wall W or other suitable stationary support. The towel T is manually rolled up on the roller after engagement in slot S of the roller on bar R. In one end of section 72 is a socket 75 into which a plug 76 can be inserted. As shown in FIGS. 1 and A, plug 76 is connected to both plug 40' and to rheostat 32. Heating wires H and H" are embedded longitudinally in sections 70 and 72, respectively. The ends of the wires are connected to socket 75 into which plug 76 is inserted. Rheostat 32 is used to adjust the heating temperature of towel T.

In FIGS. 1ll3 is shown another roller device 20*. Roller 30 is a hollow plastic cylinder in which is embedded a heating element 80 having a sinuous or looped resistance heating wire. The roller has a socket 7 5 at one end into which plug 76 can be inserted for supplying the element 80 with electrical power. The roller is rotatably disposed on a rod, bar or shaft 84 which extends axially of the roller. Rod 84 has a flanged end 86 on which is removably engaged a flexible cap 88 to hold the cylinder on the bar. The rod is secured or supported at one end by arm 89 of a frame 90. This frame has a loop or hook 92 at one end to serve as a hanger for hanging up the device when not in use. The hook can also serve as a handle when the device is in use. The free end of rod 34 is spaced from a short arm 93 extending inwardly of frame 90 in alignment with rod 84.

The device 20 of FIGS. l1l3 is especially adapted to serve as a pressing device for sleeves and other tubular garments which can be inserted over the roller. The device 20 can also serve for pressing or ironing small fabric pieces such as handkerchiefs and small garments.

In FIGS. 14 and is shown another roller device which is similar to device 20 and corresponding parts are identically numbered. A curved hood or guard plate 96 is secured by a rivet 97 to the shank of hook 92. This hood serves as both a guide and pressing plate in cooperation with roller in smoothing a fabric article P which is drawn around and past the roller as the device is rolled along a pressing surface P. Frame 90' has short arms 89' and 89" to which are attached by screws 91 the ends of shaft 84 on which roller 30 rotates.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, roller device 20 is similar to devices 20 and 2% and corresponding parts are identically numbered. In device 20 curved plate 96 has its concave side facing and spaced from roller 30 a predetermined distance determined by plate ends 98 secured to shaft 84'. The shaft in turn is nonrotatably secured by screws 91 to arms 89, 89 of frame 90'.

As shown in FIG. 17 the device can be mounted on a support 100 on which hook 92 is hung. A fabric member such as a towel T can be pulled downwardly between the roller 30* and plate 96 which serves as a guide .and pressing plate in cooperation with the roller,

In the devices 20 20 and 20, the roller 30* will initially be heated by energizing the heating element 80. The plug 76 can then be removed and the fabric or garment can be pressed while the roller is still hot.

In FIG. 18, roller device 20 is similar to roller devices 20 and 20 except that a supplementary roller 30 similar to roller 30 is mounted adjacent to roller 30 Roller 30 is carried by a shaft 84 and is supported by two frame arms I02 attached to arms 89', 89" of frame The devices N -20 are all particularly adapted for handy pressing purposes. These devices as well as device 20 may serve as convenient accessories for travelers since they can be carried in luggage and used Wherever convenient. Instead of employing remote power sources, it is possible to attach batteries to the frames 90 and 90' for energizing the heating elements in the rollers.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Pattent is: r

1. A heated roller device comprising a pair of cylindrically curved sections defining a hollow cylindrical body, means pivotally connecting said sections at adjacent edges thereof, spring means biasing opposite free edges of said sections together, said free edges being separable for engaging said body on a cylindrical bar and on an edge of a fabric member, electrical resistance wires embedded in the sections, and electrical connection means on one of the sections connected to said wires and exposed for connection to a remote source of electric power.

2. A heated roller device comprising a pair of cylindrically curved sections defining a hollow cylindrical body, means pivotally connecting said sections at adjacent edges thereof, spring means biasing opposite free edges of said sections together, said free edges being separable for engaging said body on a cylindrical bar and on an edge of a fabric member, electrical resistance wires embedded in the sections, and a socket at one end of one section connected to said wires, said socket being located to receive a plug to apply electric power to said wires for heating said body.

3. A heated roller device comprising a plurality of cylindrically curved sections defining a hollow cylindrical body, means pivot-ally connecting said sections at adjacent edges thereof, spring means biasing free edges of two of said sections together, said free edges being separable for engaging an edge of a fabric member therebetween, electrical resistance wires embedded in the sections, and means for applying electric power to said wires for heating the same.

4. A heated roller device comprising a plurality of cylindrically curved sections defining a hollow cylindrical body, means pivotally connecting said sections at adjacent edges thereof, spring means biasing free edges of two of said sections together, said free edges being separable for engaging an edge of a fabric member therebetween, electrical resistance wires embedded in the sections, shafts at opposite ends of said body extending axially therefrom for rotatably mounting said body on a support, and electric terminals in one of said shafts for applying electric power to said wires for heating the same.

5. A heated roller device comprising a plurality of cylindrically curved sections defining a hollow cylindrical body, means pivotally connecting said sections at adjacent edges thereof, spring means biasing free edges of two of said sections together, said free edges being separable for engaging an edge of a fabric member therebetween, electrical resistance wires embedded in the sections, shafts at opposite ends of said body extending axially therefrom, electric terminals in one of said shafts for applying electric power to said wires for heating the same, a pair of brackets rotatably engaging said shafts respectively, a mounting plate carrying said brackets, spring means in the other of said shafts engaged with one of said brackets for tensioning said body to turn in the brackets, slidable shaft means having an arm for engaging a portion of said body to hold the same non-rotatably in the brackets, flanges at said one shaft defining a groove for holding a cord wound on said body, electrical contact means in the other bracket contacting said electrical terminals, and means for supplying electrical power to said electrical contact means for energizing said wires.

6 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,486,414 3/24 Brier 29-118 2,270,321 1/42 Lott 219244 2,437,050 3/48 Sohutz 29-124 3,160,734 12/64 Rylander 219201 FOREIGN PATENTS 137,401 12/02 Germany.

RICHARD M. WOOD, Primary Examiner. 

1. A HEATED ROLLER DEVICE COMPRISING A PAIR OF CYLINDRICALLY CURVED SECTIONS DEFINING A HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL BODY, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID SECTIONS AT ADJACENT EDGES THEREOF, SPRING MEANS BIASING OPPOSITE FREE EDGES OF SAID SECTIONS TOGETHER, SAID FREE EDGES BEING SEPARABLE FOR ENGAGING SAID BODY ON A CYLINDRICAL BAR AND ON AN EDGE OF A FABRIC MEMBER, ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE WIRES EMBEDDED IN THE SECTIONS, AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS ON ONE OF THE SECTIONS CONNECTED TO SAID WIRES AND EXPOSED FOR CONNECTION TO A REMOTE SOURCE OF ELECTRIC POWER. 